Chapter 356: A Marine Got Lost Here
Totto Land · Whole Cake Island · The Tea Party
Whole Cake Island was currently a scene of grand, manic revelry. Garlands woven from candy and rare flowers hung across every street, and the air was thick with a cloying, sugary aroma that was almost suffocating. The residents were out in their finest attire—men in candy-striped suits and women in tiered-cake hats—singing and dancing with chocolate-filled chalices in hand.
Laughter and music intertwined in what looked like a fairy-tale feast, yet beneath the surface, a sinister undercurrent of unease pulsed through the air.
The titans of the Underworld had gathered in full force:
"Big News" Morgans of the World Economic Journal, wings fluttering with an eagle-like smirk.
"Deep Currents" Umit, the Shipping Magnate, stroking his beard in quiet observation.
"The Gravedigger" Drag Pietlo, his massive frame and lion-like mane dominating his seat.
"Loan Shark King" Du Feld, leaning back with a cigar and a cold, calculating curve to his lips.
"Queen of the Pleasure District" Stussy, her porcelain legs crossed, a cunning smile playing on her crimson lips.
They sat in their ornate seats, their predatory gazes flashing like blades in the sunlight. Surrounding them were the captains under Big Mom's banner and dozens of her children, creating a presence so massive it was breathtaking.
At the head of the hall, Charlotte Linlin sat perched upon her marshmallow throne. Wearing a crown encrusted with jewels and sweets, her heavy, rasping breath caused the cream on the walls to shudder and flake.
She spread her massive arms, her laughter shrill and demonic: "MAMA—MAMA—MAMA—!!! The Tea Party officially begins!!! Today is not just a feast; it is the dawn of a new era for Totto Land!!!"
Applause and maniacal laughter erupted like the low roar of hellfire.
During the banquet, Pudding sat quietly beside Sanji. Her veil hung low, and her fingers gripped her skirt tightly, as if she were trembling from anxiety. Her eyes looked fragile, and her voice was a mere whisper:
"Sanji-san... do you truly not find me repulsive? This eye... because of it, everyone has treated me like a monster since I was a child..."
As she finished, she lowered her head timidly, her bangs concealing her "Third Eye" while tears shimmered on her eyelashes. The hushed whispers of the guests around them seemed to echo in her ears, threatening to drag her back into those memories of mockery and scorn.
—Right then, a warm finger gently lifted her chin.
Sanji didn't hesitate, his tone firm and tender: "Pudding-chan... in my eyes, you are the most beautiful woman in the world."
Those words were like a beam of light, striking directly into the deepest cracks of Pudding's heart. Her lips trembled slightly, her eyelashes fluttered, and a genuine flush of bashfulness appeared on her face. The smile was as soft as a petal; for a fleeting moment, she almost believed she was actually "treasured."
(Someone... actually saw this form and could still say such a thing?)
The lake of her heart rippled gently, but it was quickly swallowed by the shadows of her duty. She crushed that strange flutter in her chest and continued to play the part of the "Gentle Bride."
The Night Before the Wedding
Inside a luxurious dressing room, the candlelight flickered against jewel-encrusted mirrors. Pudding slowly raised her head, the timid smile from the banquet long gone. Her Third Eye snapped open, its pupil deep and cold as a blade.
She licked her lips with disdain, her voice haughty and chilling:
"Heh... that stupid curly-brows actually believed it? He's a complete moron."
She tapped her fingers on the table, the cold metal of a concealed pistol vibrating against her palm. Her smile grew cruel. "An alliance? It's nothing but a facade. At the moment of the wedding kiss, every gun in the hall will fire at once—the Vinsmoke royalty will die like dogs in the middle of the feast!"
Her sisters erupted into shrill, mocking laughter that sounded like glass being scraped by a knife: "Kukukuku~ What a perfect script! Those foolish royals... even the way they die is decided by Mama!!"
Pudding closed her third eye, her smile becoming stiff. Deep in her mind, she couldn't stop the flashback to the banquet—that man looking at her "monstrous" self and saying without a shred of doubt: "In my eyes, you are the most beautiful woman in the world."
Her heart tightened for a fraction of a second, as if something had silently pierced through her chest. But she quickly bit her lip hard, swallowing the hesitation.
(No... this is the real Pudding! Kindness, mercy... they have no meaning in Mama's world!)
Outside the door, Sanji leaned against the cold wall. Through the crack in the door, he had heard everything.
His pupils shrank, his heart feeling as if it were being nailed to his chest by a jagged blade. The cigarette between his fingers burned down to the filter, the embers searing his skin, but he didn't even flinch. He gritted his teeth so hard the taste of blood filled his mouth.
"As I thought... everything a pirate says is a lie..."
The fire in his chest churned, transforming into an endless, agonizing pain. He lowered his head, his fists clenched white, his voice low and hoarse: "Pudding... you..."
In that moment, his world collapsed into a bottomless abyss of despair.
The Day of the Wedding
Sunlight poured down and bells chimed as a rain of candy and flowers fell upon the chapel. The entirety of Whole Cake Island seemed immersed in a festive frenzy. Charlotte Linlin sat high on her throne, her massive frame draped in pink lace, her candy crown glittering.
Her laughter boomed like thunder: "MAMAMAMA!! Today is more than a wedding... it is the glory of Totto Land!"
The crowd roared in cheers. The Underworld emperors shared cold smirks, and Big Mom's children watched with varied expressions. Only the air itself seemed to carry a chilling scent of murder.
Pudding, draped in a white veil and carrying a bouquet of syrup-roses as red as blood, walked slowly toward the altar. Her eyes were teary and heart-wrenchingly beautiful.
"Sanji-san... are you truly willing to accept someone like me?" Her voice was sweet as honey, but in Sanji's ears, it sounded like a piercing insult.
Sanji's chest tightened violently. The cold, mocking laughter he had heard through the door the night before still rang in his ears:
—"That idiot actually believed it! Seeing that look on his face is disgusting!"
—"As soon as the vows end and Mama gives the word, Germa blood will stain Whole Cake Island red!"
Now, looking at the "pure and flawless" bride beside him, Sanji gripped his hands so hard blood began to seep from his palms. Even so, he straightened his back and replied in a low voice:
"No matter what happens... I will protect you."
(Even if it's a lie... I will uphold the vow of a knight!)
Pudding lowered her head with a soft laugh, a flash of mockery passing through her eyes.
The Vinsmoke family sat in the front row. Judge stood with his head high, and Ichiji, Niji, and Yonji remained expressionless. Only Reiju's slender fingers trembled slightly, her gaze dark and heavy. They had no idea that dozens of gunmen were already positioned in the shadows, their cold muzzles locked onto their backs.
Katakuri stood silently on the flank, his gaze deep as the mochi aura flowed around him soundlessly. He had already "seen" the impending bloodshed... but he chose silence. Smoothie rested her hand on her sword hilt, the blade half-drawn.
Big Mom raised her glass, her voice shaking the entire venue: "MAMAMAMA!! Let the ceremony—BEGIN!!"
A soul-infused cake priest hopped onto the altar, shrieking: "Groom and bride, please exchange your vows—!"
Under the gaze of thousands, Sanji and Pudding stood in the center of the sanctuary. When the question "Do you take Charlotte Pudding to be your wife?" was asked—
Sanji and Pudding spoke at the exact same time:
"I DON'T!"
An uproar instantly swept through the hall! Pudding's teary eyes turned suddenly cold. A candy-encrusted pistol appeared in her hand from nowhere, the muzzle pointed directly at Sanji's heart.
"I'm so sorry, Sanji-san... but it's time to wake up from this dream!"
Just as the bullet was about to shriek from the barrel, the sky suddenly went dark!
A domineering, suffocating aura descended from the heavens, pressing down so hard that everyone's hearts sank into their chests! The air seemed to solidify; falling petals froze in mid-air.
A tyrannical Haki and presence crushed down as if from beyond the world itself!
Following it, a lazy yet soul-shaking voice echoed from high above:
"Hey, hey, hey... it seems like a Marine got lost here. Have any of you seen him?"
The entire hall fell into a deathly silence!
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